Ex-L.A. mayor ‘very close’ to launching Senate bid, says ally

A close ally of former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) thinks he’s “very, very close” to jumping into an open-seat Senate race.

{mosads}Former Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez, a friend of the mayor, tells the Los Angeles Times that he expects Villaraigosa to announce his bid within two weeks.

“There’s still a possibility that he decides not to run,” Nuñez said. “I doubt that’s going to be the case.”

California Attorney General Kamala Harris (D) is already in the race and has been looking to lock down support from across the state by rolling out endorsements from both Northern and Southern California Democrats.

Villaraigosa is the candidate who could likely give her the toughest challenge. His candidacy could make for an interesting race, pitting Harris, who has a Northern California political base and is African-American and Indian-American, against Villaraigosa, a Latino Southern Californian.

The two could face off in a general election to succeed retiring Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), as California’s unusual primary system allows the top two vote-winners to advance regardless of their party affiliation.